Apparatus for treating air



Jan. 15, 1963 R. s. HAYES, JR- 3,073,096

APPARATUS FOR TREATING AIR Filed Feb. 9. 1959 1NVENT0R.

A T TORNE Y RICHMOND s. HAYESHJR.

United States PatentO aware Filed Feb. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 791,914 3 Claims. (Cl. 55-257) This invention relates to an apparatus for treating air and, more particularly, to an apparatus for treating air of the type generally used in air conditioning and air washing systems, wherein a rotating eliminator removes water particles from an air stream.

In the copending application of Ernest C. Hungate entitled Apparatus for Treating Air, Serial No. 575,560, filed April 2, 1956, now Patent No. 2,932,360, there is disclosed an apparatus for treating air which wholly departs from previous concepts of apparatus of this type. In the abovefmentioned application, the apparatus includes a casing having means for passing an air stream therethrough. Means are provided for placing the stream in direct contact with Water, such means usually comprising a plurality of spray members capable of discharge ing finely divided particles of water into the air stream. A bladed rotor which functions as an eliminator is placed within the casing, usually adjacent the outlet, to remove entrained water particles from the discharge air stream. This eliminator may include a plurality of radially extending blades which have an annular enclosing means placed about the periphery of the bladed structure. These blades preferably are oriented in such a manner that the axial projections of the blades overlap.

The chief object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for treating air.

A further object is to provide an improved eliminator structure for use in an apparatus for treating air.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and inexpensive bladed rotor construction.

' Other objects of the invention will be readily perceived from the following description. e

This invention relates to an apparatus for treating air which comprises a casing, means for passing an air stream through the casing, means for placing the air stream 1n contact with a spray of water, a bladed eliminator for removing entrained water particles from theair stream, said eliminator comprising a first annular member,'a second annular member concentric with and axially 'spaced from said first annular member, a plurality of radially extending blade members, said blade members having axially extending portions engaging said first and second annular members, and means for attaching said axially extending portions to'said first and second members.

The attached drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional viewof the apparatus of the present invention; I

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the eliminator of the apparatus taken along the line '2-.-2 of FIGURE 1 showing enlarged fragments of. the inner and outer portions of the eliminator; FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the'eliminator taken along the lines 33 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of the support member which is spot-welded to each eliminator blade.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown in FIGURE lan apparatus for treating air embodying the present invention. The apparatus includes a casing 3 which consists of a main section 4 and an inlet section 5 which is of a smaller diameter than the main section 4. Fan 6 is located in the inlet section and is mounted therein by means of suitable struts 7.

bladed structure rotates and intercepts the water particles "ice A water supply line 8 extends through the main section 4 and is connected to the supply header 9 which extends longitudinally within the main section 4. A plurality of banks of lines 10 extend from the supply head 9. Suitable ozzles 11 are located at the extremities of the individual lines 10. Drain 12 is located in the bottom pOI'llOI] of the main section 4 to-remove water from the sump 13 of the unit.

1 At the end of the main section 4 is located an exit portion 15, wherein is mounted a suitable bearing 17. This bearing 17 is mounted by means of suitable struts 1 6. A shaft 18 is journalled within the bearing 17. Mounted on the shaft 18 is the bladed rotor 19, which is the eliminating device of the present apparatus.

This eliminator comprises a plurality ofv radially extending blades 21 which are attached to a frusto-conical shaped enclosing means 22. These blades cooperate with the surfaces of adjacent blades to define a plurality of zigzag passages through the bladed structure in a manner more fully described in the previously mentioned patent of Ernest C. Hungate.

Considering the operation of the apparatus, in FIGURE 1 air is induced through the casing 3 by means of the fan 6. As the air stream passes through the casing, water" is passed into the line 10 through the spray header 9 and is discharged through the nozzles 11 thereby filling the main section 4 of the casing-witha fine water spray. The humidity of the air and also the temperature of the air passing through the unit is alfected by this relation with the water spray. As the air passes through the exit portion of the casing, it will tend to carry undesirable entrained water particles. I

To remove these entrained Water particles from the air stream, the eliminator structure 19 isprovided. The

' as it passes through the zigzag passages in the bladed structure and returns the water into the casing to be discharged through the drain 12. The operation of the apparatus in FIGURE l is fully described in Patent No. 2,932,360.

- Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3, there is shown a shaft 18 having a suitable-keyway for the key 26 and a suitable" hub-mounting device 23-. which may be .of any conventional design. About the member 23 there is concentrically mounted a cylindrical sleeve 27. A first annular member 24 and a second annular member 25 may be Welded on'thesleeve 27 to form a hub39.. These members 24 and 25 are annular planar members which define an annular trough having a general U cross section with the'open end of the trough extending radially outward.

- The previously mentioned blade members 21 have their narrow portions extending into this U-shape trough and,- by suitable means to be more fully described hereinafter,

the blades are attached to the hub 39.

The blade members 21 comprise a plurality of surfaces which are ,angularly disposed with respect to one another.

FIGURE 3sh'oWs a blade having four surfaces and three bends. The surfaces are 31', 32', 33' and 34. In order to connect such a blade'construction to the support member 30, shown in FIGURE 4, the support member 30 is' provided with similar corrugated portions which engage the surfaces of the blade 21. The member 30 has the surfaces 31, 32, 33, and 34 which are disposed at similar angles and are intended to facially engage the surfaces 31', 32', 33' and 34 of the blade 21. Theblade 21 may be attached to the member 30 by any suitable means. In the present application these members are spot-welded to one another.

The support member 30 is provided at its end portions with the tabs 40 and 41. These tabs are angularly disposed with respect to one another to form a wedge-type surface whereby when the blade 21 with the support mem ber 30 attached thereto is inserted into the U-shaped trough defined by the members 24, and 27, the tab members 40 and.4"1'.will tend to abut against the annular members 24 and 25 at the peripheral edges thereof. In order to connect the tabs to the annular members 24 and 25 suitable welds 50 and 51 are made at the peripheral edges of the annular member's.

The eliminator structure, as previously mentioned, is provided with an annular'shroud which has a frusto-conical shape. The shroud envelops the bladed structure and is attachedthereto. by means'of suitable spot welds between the, tab projections 55 and 56 of the individual blades 21 and the inner surface'ofthe shroud 22.

Considering the fabrication of this bladed rotor, the individual blade members 21 are suitably formed by bending sections ofsheet metal including thereon the tabs 55 and 56. After bending the blademember to its desired shape, the blade member is spot-welded to a support member 33 which, as previously mentioned, has corresponding-faces to coincide with the various surfaces ofithe blade member.

The sleeve 27'has then attached thereto the first annular member 24 and the second annular member 25 spaced therefrom. The blades are thenradially oriented in suitable jigs with the supportmembers partially extending into the U.-shaped' troughs defined by the members 24', 25 and 27. These blades are substantially disposed at equal angles and the frusto-conical shroud 22 is placed about the-bladesin the'jigto envelop this bladed assembly.

TheKtabs' 55' and '56 of the individual blades 21 are spot vvelded to the frusto-conical member 22 thereby fixing the orientation 'of' the various blade members. This particular welding ope-ration also predetermines the ex-" tent that the support members with the particular tab members 40 and 41 extend into the U-s'haped trough previously mentioned; Usually the tabs are of such a size as to permit a width of approximately 1 between adjacent tabsr Also, because of the angular disposition of the tabs 49 and 41, these blade members will be wedged into the Uashape trough in such a manner that most of these tabs will be in frictional engagement with the peripheral edges of the annular members 24 and 25.

Iii-order tol connectthese tabs to the particular annular members, annular bead is welded about the outer periphery of" the vannularmember 24 so that this annular member is welded tothe' tab40 sub tantially-across the line of contact between these members and" the" annular member. Y. V

After the weld-has been made about-the full 360 of 'the fi'rst annular member 24; the eliminator structure is reversed topermit performinga similar welding operation aboutthelperiphery of the second annular member 25'. By;per'formin'g,tbissecond welding op'eration, the entire welded wheel assembly iscompleted and all" the However, it is While I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto since it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim: I

1. In an apparatus for treating air, the combination of a casing, means for passing an air stream through the casing, means for placing the air stream in contact with a water spray and a bladed eliminator for removing entrained water particles from the air stream, means for rotatably mounting the said eliminator, said eliminator comprising a cylindrical sleeve having attached thereto first and second parallel annular planar members in spaced relation to form an annular trough having the open end thereof extending outwardly, a plurality of blades radialiy extending into said trough, said blade members having a corrugated cross-section, at, least one support memher having a center portion with a corresponding corrugated" cross-section to said blades and being attached to a blade, said support member having at least one end portion with a tab, said tab having a planar surface which substantially intersects the plane of an adjacent annular member substantially in an area adjacent the peripheral edge of the annular member, and a welded bead extending around the peripheral edge of each annular member whereby the tabs of each support member attached to a blade is connected to an adjacent annular member.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 n which the eliminator further comprises an, annular shroud which envelops the outer periphery of the blades of the eliminator.

3'. A bladed rotor eoniprising a cylindrical member having; attached thereto first and second annular planar members, in spaced relation to form an annular trough having the open end extending outwardly, a plurality of blades radially extending into said trough, said blades having a corrugated eross-sectioma support member having a center portion with a corresponding corrugated cross-section to said blades. and being attached to a blade, said support member having end portions each with a tab, saidftabs each having a planar surface which substantially intersects the plane of an adjacent annular member substantially in an area adjacent the peripheral edge of the annular member, and a welded bead. extending around, the peripheraledge of each, annular member where: bythe tabsof eachsupport member attached tov a blade are. connected to an, adjacent annular member.

2 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR TREATING AIR, THE COMBINATION OF A CASING, MEANS FOR PASSING AN AIR STREAM THROUGH THE CASING, MEANS FOR PLACING THE AIR STREAM IN CONTACT WITH A WATER SPRAY AND A BLADED ELIMINATOR FOR REMOVING ENTRAINED WATER PARTICLES FROM THE AIR STREAM, MEANS FOR ROTABLY MOUNTING THE SAID ELIMINATOR, SAID ELIMINATOR COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL SLEEVE HAVING ATTACHED THERETO FIRST AND SECOND PARALLEL ANNULAR PLANAR MEMBERS IN SPACED RELATION TO FORM AN ANNULAR TROUGH HAVING THE OPEN END THEREOF EXTENDING OUTWARDLY, A PLURALITY OF BLADES RADIALLY EXTENDING INTO SAID TROUGH, SAID BLADE MEMBERS HAVING A CORRUGATED CROSS-SECTION, AT LEAST ONE SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING A CENTER PORTION WITH A CORRESPONDING CORRUGATED CROSS-SECTION TO SAID BLADES AND BEING ATTACHED TO A BLADE, SAID SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING AT LEAST ONE END PORTION WITH A TAB, SAID TAB HAVING A PLANAR SURFACE WHICH SUBSTANTIALLY INTERSECTS THE PLANE OF AN ADJACENT ANNULAR MEMBER SUBSTANTIALLY IN AN AREA ADJACENT THE PERIPHERAL EDGE OF THE ANNULAR MEMBER, AND A WELDED BEAD EXTENDING AROUND THE PERIPHERAL EDGE OF EACH ANNULAR MEMBER WHEREBY THE TABS OF EACH SUPPORT MEMBER ATTACHED TO A BLADE IS CONNECTED TO AN ADJACENT ANNULAR MEMBER. 